A massive landslide in Papua New Guinea has caused a devastating humanitarian crisis, according to a letter sent by the country’s National Disaster Centre to the United Nations office in Port Moresby [1]. The letter, obtained by AFP, states that “the landslide buried more than 2,000 people alive and caused major destruction” in a remote village.
What happened in Papua New Guinea
The disaster struck a once-vibrant hillside community in Enga province early Friday morning. A chunk of Mount Mungalo collapsed, burying homes and claiming the lives of countless residents while they slept. The National Disaster Centre describes the impact as “major destruction to buildings, food gardens and a major impact on the economic lifeline of the country”.
The letter details the critical infrastructure damage caused by the landslide. The main highway leading to Porgera Mine, a vital economic artery, is “completely blocked”. This disruption adds another layer of difficulty to rescue efforts and poses further challenges for the local economy.
The precarious situation continues, with the letter stating that “the situation remains unstable as the landslip continues to shift slowly, posing an ongoing danger to both the rescue teams and survivors alike” . The National Disaster Centre of Papua New Guinea emphasizes the urgent need for a coordinated response, calling for “immediate and collaborative actions from all players” including the military and national and regional emergency responders.
Furthermore, the letter urges the UN to inform Papua New Guinea’s development partners and international allies about the devastating situation, highlighting the critical need for international support in the face of this immense tragedy.
Also Read: Rajkot fire tragedy: 27 dead including four children in a fire at Rajkot gaming zone
One thought on “Papua New Guinea Reels from Devastating Landslide: Over 2,000 Feared Dead”